Effective learning strategies for successful study without stress
Student life is challenging! But these tried and tested methods will help you to study and prepare for exams more efficiently.
- May 06, 2024
- 2 Min. reading time
Student life can be quite demanding, can't it? The lectures pile up and the books pile up, and then there are the exams... Here are some tried and tested methods to help you organise your studies and exam preparation more efficiently:
Organisation is essential
Before you actually start studying, solid organisation is crucial. Create a timetable in which you set out your lectures, self-study times and exam dates. An additional to-do list on which you prioritise the tasks to be completed also creates structure and helps you to use your time efficiently.
Encourage active learning
Just listening passively is often not enough to really understand complex topics. To better internalise what you have learned, you should be active during lectures: Take meaningful notes, ask questions, discuss with your fellow students and look for practical applications of what you have learnt.
Plan breaks and recovery phases
Excessive cramming rarely leads to good results. Plan regular breaks to relax and take the pressure off your brain. Go for a walk, do sport, meditate or simply do nothing at all. The recovery phases are just as important as the learning phases and help to increase your concentration and productivity. Sufficient sleep is also very important for memorising information.
Use tried and tested learning techniques
There are various learning techniques that can improve your learning efficiency. Experiment with different methods and find out what works best for you. Below you will find three popular techniques:
The Feynman method
- Choose a topic: Focus on a topic you want to learn.
- Explain it simply: Try to explain the topic as simply as possible, without jargon. You can just say it out loud or actually explain it to someone.
- Identify gaps: If you come across any problems or gaps in your understanding when explaining, highlight them and work to understand them.
- Repeat and simplify: Repeat the process until you fully understand the topic and can explain it clearly.
The Pomodoro technique
- Set a timer: Set a timer for 25 minutes.
- Work with concentration: Work focused on one task during this time.
- 5-minute break: After 25 minutes, take a short 5-minute break.
- Repeat: Start a new Pomodoro cycle and concentrate on your work again.
- Longer break: After four Pomodoro cycles, take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.
Mind mapping
- Determine a central theme: Start with a central topic for which you already have information.
- Write down the main content: Write down the main content or key information around the topic.
- Make connections: Draw links between each piece of information to show how they are connected.
- Add subtopics: Add more details or subtopics to the main content to create a comprehensive picture.
- Visualise: Use visual elements such as colours, symbols and images to make the information clearer and easier to remember.
By integrating these proven strategies into your studies and applying them consistently, you will not only achieve your learning goals more effectively, but also successfully cope with exam stress